Cards crush competition

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls basketball team (3-2) picked up two wins in the North Iowa Conference by topping West Hancock and Belmond-Klemme last week.  

GHV 66, West Hancock 30

Patience and execution on offense led girls to a big win over West Hancock (0-1, 1-4) on Tuesday, Dec. 10.  The Cardinals, who shot 47 percent from the field, had no problem with the Eagles in the 66-30 romp.

“This game was a combination of a very good defensive effort and the best offensive execution of the season,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.  “We held them to 23 percent shooting from the field and did a good job on the boards, out-rebounding them 46 to 29.”

The Cardinals pulled ahead 33-21 by halftime.  The second half was total Cardinal domination.  GHV outscored the Eagles 16-3 in the third quarter and 17-6 in the fourth for the final, 66-30.

“I thought our post players, Sydney, Shelby, Grace, Kim and Mackenzie, all had solid games,” said Erpelding.  “We were patient and took quality shots.”

The Cardinal victory put an end to West Hancock’s 47 game conference win streak.

“Being a rival, it is nice to start the conference race off with a victory against them,” said Erpelding.

The coach praised the play of Mackenzie Haag and Emily Spilman.  Haag led the team with 13 points, while Spilman was close behind with 10.  Spilman also grabbed five rebounds and had four assists and one steal.  Haag pulled down three rebounds, had three assists and two steals.

Rounding out the scoring was Shelby Rayhons with eight points.  Grace Tusha, Maddie Tusha and Mackenzie Van Gerpen had six points apiece.  Kim Dornbier and Tiara Van Gerpen had five points apiece.

Other rebounding leaders included Sydney Younge and Grace Tusha with eight apiece and Rayhons and Maddie Tusha grabbed six apiece. 

Maddie Tusha was all over the floor, collecting 10 steals and dishing out four assists.

GHV 59, Belmond-Klemme 20

It was another big win for the Cardinals on Friday, Dec. 13, when GHV rolled over Belmond-Klemme, 59-20, holding the Broncos to only five points in the entire second half.

It was the team’s defense that saved the day.  The Cardinals forced 47 turnovers that they were able to turn them into 32 points.  GHV also held the Broncos to 22 percent shooting and held their leading scorer to just three points.

Although it was a mark in the win column, Coach Matt Erpelding was not pleased with his teams execution on offense.

“I was not at all satisfied with our play on the offensive end.  We were sloppy and had poor execution and had very poor ball and body movement within the offense.”

The coach praised the play of Shelby Rayhons, Emily Spilman and Mackenzie Van Gerpen.  Spilman led the team in both scoring and rebounds, with 17 points and seven rebounds.  She also had five steals and three assists.

“Emily had another good game, finishing a lot of shots around the basket,” said Erpelding.

Rayhons collected 12 points and had four rebounds and one steal.

“Shelby played with a lot of energy and was very productive with her minutes.”

Van Gerpen had a good fourth quarter and finished with six steals and 11 points.

The Cardinals host Central Springs on Friday night.  Game time is 6:15 p.m.